A food crisis is looming in the Wanni District with reports that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has not given the approval for the transportation of essential food items into Kilinochchi for the public who were trapped in the rebel controlled areas. The Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC), in its latest humanitarian situation report, says last week the Government Agent (GA) in Kilinochchi had reported food supplies for February and March have not been transported to the area. "There has been no approval from the MoD to transport food items to reach the general public through the Omanthai Entry/Exit point into the Kilinochchi District,' IASC said.According to the IASC report the Regional Director, Health Services (RDHS) in Kilinochchi had also reported last week that no MoD authorisation has been granted to transport the first quarter of essential drugs stored in Vavuniya. At a meeting between the Security Forces-Vanni Commandant and GA in Vavuniya, it was agreed that empty lorries from Wanni to government controlled areas would be allowed through the Omanthai checkpoint on Saturdays. Subsequently 71 lorries were allowed from the Wanni. According to the IASC procedures at the Omanthai entry/exit point remain tight for civilian and humanitarian organisation movements. It also notes that since February 4, access has been restricted to vehicles travelling from north of Medawachchiya checkpoint, creating additional challenges for civilian travel across the Mannar District. The UN affiliated organisation says restrictive procedures at checkpoints on the A14 Road, including Uyilankulam, continue to cause serious problems with the supply of essential items, and were also resulting in price increases and fuel shortages. Meanwhile in Jaffna the World Food Programme (WFP) warned the food aid programme might experience shortfalls of cereals, sugar, oil and CSB for the March distributions if the shipments of 1,800 Mt. allocated for March 2008 fails to arrive in Jaffna, IASC reported. With heavy fighting reported almost daily in the North, civilians have started to escape from rebel controlled areas to seek refuge. The Defence Ministry said over the weekend two families consisting of eight civilians have fled un-cleared areas in Mannar. The civilians said to be from Wallaipadau, Wirawila reported to the Sri Lanka Navy detachment at Narappadu in Mannar. Five adults, three males and two females, and three children were among the escapees, sources said. A five=year-old boy and two girls aged 13 and 15 were among the children, the MoD said.